Chapter 53: Tang Mo Sells Off the Servants

Chapter 53: Tang Mo Sells the Servants

Steward Yang was somewhat warm-hearted; his words were filled with regret for Xia'er. Tang Mo frowned deeply; since every family's situation was different, it was difficult for him to pass judgment. He did not particularly like messy or complicated people in his household, fearing future trouble, but he did indeed take a liking to Ershan, believing that with proper training, the boy would be useful.

"Go tell these two families that I am taking Ershan and Xia'er. Give each family two taels of silver."

Steward Yang knew exactly how it would go. He went to handle the business with a smile. When the Zhao brothers learned their child had been chosen, they were overjoyed. Ershan's father even tried to swap Ershan out so his other brother could take his place, but he was scolded by Steward Yang before he could pursue the idea further.

Before the people arrived, Tang Mo had already given Xia'er to Xin An. "She is just an extra; arrange her as you see fit."

If one wanted to work in the Marquis's manor, Xia'er wouldn't be next in line based on seniority.

Xin An noted that once the Xin family's residence was renovated, they would need people for cleaning and maintenance. "Bring her back to the manor for a period of training, then send her over."

The Qiushi Courtyard could not accommodate any more maidservants.

"This servant, Zhao Ershan, kowtows to the Young Master."

Steward Yang was very efficient. An hour later, Ershan, dressed in clothes that were eighty percent new, brought his cleaned cousin to kneel before Tang Mo. The clothes on both of them were clearly ill-fitting—one too large and one too small—showing they were not their own.

"This... this servant, Zhao Xia'er, kowtows to the Young Master."

Xia'er's voice was trembling; she didn't dare lift her head. Her cousin had said he was taking her to live a good life; she thought she was dreaming, and it was only by kneeling here that she felt a shred of reality, yet she feared that if she performed poorly, she would be sent back.

Tang Mo gave a brief "Mhm." Steward Yang presented the two contracts of sale and instructed them to serve with all their hearts in the future, warning them never to harbor divided loyalties.

Ershan kowtowed heavily. "I said it just yesterday—as long as I can serve the Young Master alongside my cousin, I will never have a divided heart in this lifetime. If I ever harbor thoughts of betrayal, may heaven strike me with lightning."

The sound of his head hitting the ground was loud. Seeing her cousin act this way, Xia'er wanted to speak as well, but she didn't know how; she could only follow suit and kowtow. "This servant feels the same."

Her voice was considerably louder than before.

"Rise." Tang Mo tossed Ershan over to Lailai, telling Lailai to teach him the rules. "Learn diligently so you can serve well."

He then said to Xia'er, "You will be arranged by the Young Mistress. Go."

Go?

Without being told where, Xia'er felt panicked. Lailai stepped forward. "Follow me. I'll take you to kowtow to the Young Mistress. Ershan, you come too."

Xin An was watching the gardener dig up jasmine; she planned to take some back to plant at the Xin family residence. When Lailai brought the people over to kowtow to her, seeing that Xia'er looked truly pitiful, she had Chunyang take her to wash up again. "From now on, you will learn the rules from your Sister Chunyang. Learn well; as long as you don't do anything wrong, you won't be punished."

The poor girl—the wrists revealed through her sleeves still showed bruises, and judging by the color, they were from the last two days.

Xia'er kowtowed again in joy, a light appearing in her eyes. In terms of appearance, she wasn't particularly striking; she was somewhat dark and rugged, likely due to long-term labor. There was dirt under her fingernails, and her hands were rough with cracks at the base of her thumbs, showing no sign of the skin of a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl.

She could only start as a cleaning maid.

Chunyang and Lailai each led one person away. Xin An continued to watch her jasmine and, feeling too sleepy in the afternoon, took a nap. Tang Mo said he would return tomorrow. After his nap, they went for a stroll by the lotus pond. As for eating anything "fresh," he didn't dare.

The two still slept in the same bed, mainly because there was nowhere else to go. After half a day, they had both returned to normal; they did not speak of the morning's events and regained the harmonious appearance seen by Chunyang.

In the evening, after the sun had set, the two went out for a walk, followed by Lailai and Ershan. A group of children were playing on the ridge of the field; finding it interesting, the two paused to watch for a moment. Because of this pause, a little boy came running toward them urgently. Before he even got close, he shouted, "Brother-in-law!" Tang Mo even looked back, thinking someone had approached from behind.

"Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law!"

The dirty little boy ran close and looked up at Tang Mo. "You are my brother-in-law."

Tang Mo?

Xin An?

Before the two could react, Ershan stepped forward and landed a slap on the boy's buttocks. "I told you not to shout nonsense! This is the Young Master. Your brother-in-law isn't here."

The boy burst into tears, shouting, "He is the brother-in-law! He is! Mother and Father both said Third Sister went to be a concubine for the brother-in-law. He is the brother-in-law!"

His parents had said it was the dead girl's good fortune; they said a Taoist priest had said the dead girl was blessed, and that once she struck it rich, she would give all her silver to him so he could live a good life. He hadn't heard wrong.

Ershan was fuming. He delivered a sharp slap. "If you dare talk nonsense again—your Third Sister is going to be a maid to sweep and wash clothes in the Marquis's manor, do you understand? Your parents are lying!"

He turned and knelt before Tang Mo. "Young Master, it is all this boy's nonsense. Please do not blame Xia'er. Xia'er, she..."

Ershan gritted his teeth in frustration. Xia'er had finally escaped the fire pit; he was terrified that the Young Master would get angry and send her back. As for himself, he naturally wouldn't have a chance; someone of the Young Master's status could never lack servants.

Tang Mo was almost amused by the anger. A maid who came as an extra had thrown dirt on him before he had even clearly seen her face. Did he look like someone who would take just anything?

He cast a guilty glance at Xin An. Seeing that she remained expressionless and was looking coldly at the wailing boy, he thought: what could a seven or eight-year-old boy know? It must have been the adults in the house. It was pure daydreaming. He spoke coldly to Ershan, "Go notify Steward Yang to sell this entire family off. Do not let them offend my eyes any longer."

To fantasize about being his father-in-law—what nonsense.

Some bold onlookers gathered to watch the commotion. Their expressions shifted from realization to schadenfreude, and finally to a bit of sighing. How proud the Zhao couple had been yesterday, boasting that their Xia'er had been chosen by the Young Master and might have a bright future, even claiming a fortune teller said she was blessed.

They had wondered how Xia'er, who spent all her time working in the fields, had ever met the Young Master, only for him to take an interest in her.

So, she was just going to be a common maid.

But even a common maid was better than staying with the Zhaos. Poor Xia'er.

Ershan did not hesitate for a moment and quickly went to find Steward Yang. Tang Mo turned and left with a cold face, his interest completely gone.

Steward Yang acted swiftly. He brought men to tie up the Zhao couple and gag them in a few strokes to prevent them from shouting.

In the entire village, this family was the most disgraceful. They were usually disliked; the man stole grain and the woman stole eggs. They had even been punished previously for conspiring to steal grain from the fields. Now they dared to dream of the Young Master becoming their son-in-law. Steward Yang was nearly dying of rage. The entire village relied on the Second Young Master for their livelihood; how could these delusional fools offend him? It would benefit no one.

(End of Chapter)